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Friday, June 25, 2010

I was thinking about Romanticism last night. Not romantic love, but the idea that nature and aesthetics and feeling can be romantic. The Romantic writers, artists and musicians (among them were Keats, Edgar Allen Poe, Shelley, Beethoven, and Chopin) believed in the seperation of science from nature, awed in the untamed personality of nature, embraced the idea that emotion could overtake and be strong and all-encompasing (which was in direct opposition to the Victorian viewpoint of control), and that these ideas could be interpreted into music, art, and literature.

I am a Romantic. No doubt about it. Though I am a biologist and physician, I believe that there are some things that science can't explain that that emotion is a driving power. I have loved Chopin since I was a child and thrill over Puccini's operas. My favorite painting is "The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse. One of my favorite books, that brings me to tears every time, is "Frankenstein," a classic of the Romantic period

"Who is this? And what is here?"And in the lighted palace nearDied the sound of royal cheer;And they crossed themselves for fear,All the Knights at Camelot;But Lancelot mused a little spaceHe said, "She has a lovely face;God in his mercy lend her grace,The Lady of Shalott."

I love this post. I am a Romantic person and not just with love. I love everything edgar allen poe wrote and have read it aleast twice. I also like some classicla music. Thanks for sharing your thoughts they put a smile on my face.

Love all the pictures! And it's cool you consider snail mails to be romantic too. Because nowadays where everything could be done online, i still prefer the classic handing out of messages. Nothing is more romantic than that.

I just finished reading New Moon (Twilight series), and that's the closest I've been to romance in a while. I was pretty moved by the descriptions of loneliness and emptiness described as the two non-lovers in love were separated throughout the book. I love the passion that builds when they kiss...but how it must be cut off in smoldering heat, lest he kill her.

Whenever I think of Lady of Shallot, I always think of Anne of Green Gables, where Anne and her friends attempt to re-enact the poem, and her boat winds up sinking. I love that series and the first book in particular.

Wow! You have such a beautiful blog...looks like a place that would be lovely to stay awhile and relax. Thanks so much for visiting me and for such a thoughtful comment. I'm looking forward to following your lovely blog :)